Russia can deny access to subsoil assets of Black Sea and Sea of Azov — decree

September 01, 2015, 12:30 UTC+3The Russian government has approved a decree saying holders of Ukrainian licenses could be denied the right to use subsoil assets of the seas in case of a threat to Russia's defense and security

MOSCOW, September 1. /TASS/. According to new rules approved by the Russian government, holders of Ukrainian licenses could be denied the right to use subsoil assets of the Black and Azov seas in case of a threat to the defense and security of the Russian Federation. The corresponding decree was published Tuesday on the government website.

According to the website, "the decision is aimed at ensuring national defense and security in the Black and Azov seas."

The decree affects licenses issued by Ukraine before the reunification of Crimea with Russia.

The Government approved the rules for determining the order for applying to the Federal Agency for the Subsoil Use (Rosnedra) for holders of Ukrainian licenses for receiving the right to access to subsoil, as well as preparing the conclusions by the Russian Defense Ministry and the Federal Security Service on whether it poses a threat to the country’s security.